Operation UNITE2015-02-27T18:57:41Zhttp://operationunite.org/feed/atom/WordPressdmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=59072015-02-06T17:58:02Z2015-02-06T17:57:25ZLONDON – Nancy Hale, a long-time educator and current Co-Program Director of the UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps) initiative, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Operation UNITE effective Monday, February 9.

Hale succeeds Dan Smoot, who has been tapped to lead a new drug prevention/education initiative for Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area).

“I am humbled and appreciative of the Board’s decision and their faith in my abilities to lead Operation UNITE,” Hale said. “It has been an honor to be part of the UNITE team – both as a volunteer and an employee – in service to our communities. There is nothing more important we can do than to educate and save our youth.”

“We first became acquainted with Nancy through her volunteering with the UNITE community coalition in Rockcastle County,” noted Tom Handy, chairman of the UNITE Board of Directors. “She has been an excellent leader in creating and sustaining educational and treatment programs. We have every expectation that she will take UNITE to new heights.”

“I have the utmost respect and confidence in Nancy Hale’s abilities to lead the UNITE program,” said Kentucky Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, whose vision resulted in the creation of the anti-drug initiative in 2003. “She is highly respected and brings a solid background of leadership, skills and compassion to the position.”

Hale retired from public education in 2012 after 34 years as a teacher, career counselor, and administrative coordinator. That fall she joined UNITE to help provide coordination for the AmeriCorps grant program, which currently serves 44 elementary schools in 13 districts across southern and eastern Kentucky.

Very involved in her community, Hale has served as an Executive Board Member and volunteer with the Rockcastle County (KY) UNITE Coalition for the last 10 years, with the Kentucky YMCA Youth Association for 25 years, as well as a current Board Member and twice-elected President of the Kentucky Association of Professional Educators.

As a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Pi Chapter, Hale was named “Kentucky Volunteer of the Year” in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2004. She received the “Golden Apple Achiever Award” from Ashland Oil, Inc. in 2000 as one of Kentucky’s outstanding educators. In 2001, she was chosen as the “Kentucky YMCA Champion,” and was the first inductee into the Kentucky YMCA Youth Advisor Hall of Fame in 2010.

She and her husband, John, also an educator and principal for 42 years, are the parents of two grown sons and have two granddaughters.

“Nancy is a passionate advocate for drug abuse prevention and education,” Smoot said. “Like many residents of the region, her family has endured the anguish and uncertainties of dealing with substance abuse. She is a well-respected and capable leader that brings a strong perspective to UNITE’s important mission.”

Prior to joining UNITE, Smoot worked 22 years with the Kentucky State Police – primarily in narcotics enforcement. In November 2003, Smoot joined UNITE as Drug Task Force Manager for the Kentucky River Region. A month later he was promoted to Law Enforcement Director, and in September 2011 was named UNITE Vice President. Smoot became President/CEO in May 2013. He begins he new role on March 1.

As AHIDTA’s first Director of Drug Prevention and Education Smoot will coordinate such programs as the “Give Me A Reason” drug prevention initiative, designed to provide youth another way to resist peer pressure to experiment with drugs. Launched in partnership with UNITE in October 2014, this program provides free saliva-based drug test kits to parents.

“Operation UNITE has become an extremely effective drug-fighting program, especially in addressing the need to educate our youth to the harmful effects of drug use,” said Frank Rapier, executive director of AHIDTA. “We want to replicate this huge success into other areas of Appalachia.”

“Dan has proven to be a true professional and tireless worker,” Rapier continued. “We want to utilize his skills to continue coalition-building and find new ways to be more effective in stopping the cycle of abuse.”

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=58852015-02-15T20:00:57Z2015-01-30T21:26:46ZOperation UNITE’s “Celebrate Successes in Prevention and Education” Coalition Awards luncheon scheduled for 11 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 17, at the Eastern Kentucky University Manchester Campus has been CANCELED due to the prediction of hazardous winter weather coming into the region. It will be rescheduled.

Two of America’s top officials in the effort to reduce drug use and its consequences will help Operation UNITE recognize and “Celebrate Successes in Prevention and Education” throughout southern and eastern Kentucky at a luncheon on Tuesday, February 17.

Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the National Institutes of Health, will join Kentucky’s Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers at the celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. at Eastern Kentucky University’s Manchester Campus.

“Kentucky has been a hot zone for prescription drug abuse and diversion for more than a decade. Lives were being lost and families torn apart at unacceptable rates,” said Dan Smoot, UNITE president/CEO. “Through prevention and awareness initiatives, UNITE has been able to slow the problem and engage thousands of citizens to address substance abuse-related issues within their own communities.”

“The volunteers working with UNITE Coalitions in each of our 32 counties are having an impact, although we know there’s much more to accomplish,” Smoot continued. “This celebration is an opportunity to pause and thank these folks at the grassroots level who are making a difference and recognize a few of their most successful initiatives.”

The public is invited to participate in the celebration. There is no charge to attend, but because lunch will be served an RSVP is requested by Thursday, February 12, to Gina Muncy at gmuncy@centertech.com. On-site registration will start at 10:30 a.m.

As ONDCP director, Botticelli is responsible for the National Drug Control Strategy, which outlines efforts to reduce drug use, manufacturing and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences. This strategy places an emphasis on community-based prevention programs, diverting non-violent drug offenders into treatment instead of jail, and expanding access to substance abuse treatment.

Congressman Rogers, whose vision created UNITE in 2003, is recognized as a national leader on drug-related issues.

“UNITE’s unique approach to place equal emphasis on education, treatment and enforcement has been heralded as a model for the nation,” Smoot said, noting an annual National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, hosted by UNITE, is regarded as the largest collaboration of professionals and stakeholders addressing substance abuse issues.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=58272014-12-23T20:26:29Z2014-12-23T20:24:20ZHYDEN – A school project designed to counteract the effects of bullying at Hayes Lewis Elementary School in Leslie County was honored as the “UNITE Club Project of the Month” for October.

This was the first year Operation UNITE has presented this award to highlight what students in the anti-drug school clubs were doing to make a difference within their school, community or county.

For “Make A Difference Day” in October 2014, the 47 club members, along with 20 other students, at Hayes Lewis Elementary participated in the school’s “Post-It Note Project.” Each note written and placed on random lockers had a positive message for their classmates to find.

“Each Post-It Note represented a comment that we would give someone” to help cancel out negative comments and rebuild self-esteem, said Club Sponsor Bethany Rockrohr. “At the end of the day the students were able to see how that one comment, in addition to someone else’s comment, added together created several comments for each person.”

“There was a great response from the students. They said the notes made them feel important,” Rockrohr added. “I feel that it did more than that. It taught them the importance of each other.”

Currently there are 74 registered UNITE Clubs in 21 counties with 6,413 student members for the 2014-15 school term. Club members agree to educate themselves and their peers in the importance of remaining drug free, and to help raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and all the issues that surround drug use.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=58142014-12-18T20:53:27Z2014-12-18T20:53:27ZA new national report shows Kentucky fares well compared to other states in the number of patients potentially misusing non-prescribed medications or abusing illegal drugs.

Kentucky, “which has long been known as an epicenter of the national prescription drug epidemic,” was “noticeably absent” from the top 10 worst performing states in each of three categories studied, according to the report, released December 17 by Ameritox, a leader in medication monitoring solutions.

Urine samples were collected from more than 400,000 patients to examine three specific areas of concern: (1) patients who were prescribed drugs but those drugs weren’t found; (2) evidence of drugs for which there was no prescription; and (3) the presence of one or more illicit drugs.

“Kentucky showed modest improvements in each of the three categories between 2012 and 2014,” the research report stated. By comparison, overall more patients on chronic opioid therapy tested positive for a drug not prescribed by their doctor or for an illicit drug than two years ago.

“Treating pain is a major challenge in our society, and so is the potential for misuse of prescription medications and the abuse of illicit drugs,” said Scott Walton, CEO of Ameritox. “We need a concerted, dynamic approach – one that uses monitoring and additional insights at the clinical level – to address this problem.”

The report showed that Kentucky:

• Ranked 36th for “prescribed drug not found” at 23.7% of samples.

• Ranked 35th for “non-prescribed drug found” at 30.3% of samples.

• Ranked 22nd for “one or more illicit drugs found” at 11.9% of samples. Marijuana (78%), cocaine (16.7%) and heroin (4.6%) were the most common substances detected among the samples testing positive.

Van Ingram, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, said the report indicates state efforts to address this national epidemic are working.

“The strategies we have implemented in Kentucky are having a positive effect,” Ingram said. “Cautious prescribing, use of prescription monitoring systems and drug disposal are just some of the strategies that are having an impact on Kentucky’s prescription drug problems.”

There were 980 Kentucky resident drug overdose deaths in 2013, a 5% decrease from 1,032 deaths in 2012, according to the Kentucky Safety and Alignment Network. Drugs and medications – over-the-counter, prescription drugs and illicit drugs – were the underlying cause of death for 94.5% of all poisoning deaths in the state.

“It’s a validation that our treatment and education initiatives are working,” noted Dan Smoot, president and CEO of Operation UNITE, which has been dealing with prescription drug problems in southern and eastern Kentucky since 2003.

UNITE’s unique three-pronged approach to curbing prescription drug abuse and diversion – through law enforcement, treatment and education initiatives – has been heralded at many levels, including the White House. In addition, UNITE organizes an annual National Rx Drug Abuse Summit that is the largest national collaboration of professionals impacted by prescription drug abuse.

“Our success is due, in part, to state officials making prescription drug abuse a priority,” Smoot stated. “Through legislative action and support of programs such as Recovery Kentucky and Drug Courts, we’ve come leaps and bounds from the destructive spiral we were on just a decade ago.”

“Is there still work to be done? Absolutely,” Smoot said. “But, this positive report reflects that we’re moving in the right direction.”

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=56882014-12-18T20:55:32Z2014-10-20T21:15:19ZCARYVILLE, TN – Residents of southern and eastern Kentucky are invited to participate in a unique and massive prayer walk on Saturday, November 8.

Sponsored by the Stand in the Gap Coalition (SIGCO) – whose mission is similar to the anti-drug organization Operation UNITE in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District – the “Stand At The Cross” prayer walk will take place at noon just off I-75 Exit 141 near Caryville, Tenn. This is where one of Jim Potter’s 100-foot crosses welcomes travelers entering the state.

SIGCO has chapters representing Bell County in southern Kentucky, Lee County in far southwest Virginia, and nine East Tennessee counties – including the border counties of Fentress, Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Hancock and Hawkins.

Churches of all denominations are coming together to ask God’s help to eradicate the scourge of alcohol and other drug abuse and family violence within the region.

Independently, small prayer groups of the parents and friends of those addicted have outgrown places they meet. There are prayer walks around courthouses, justice centers, on school property at night, and other unusual places.

Spurred by a prayer revival that brought transformation to Clay County, Kentucky, drawing a film crew from Washington state that created a documentary called “An Appalachian Dawn,” the prayer movement has grown, and so have its results.

SIGCO was formed in 2011 and planned a large prayer walk, where an estimated 8,000 people from Kentucky, Virginia and Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee converged at Cumberland Gap. Prayers and testimonies were heard from recovered addicts who now have their lives under control.

In 2012, representatives from nine counties began to meet regularly under the regional banner of the Stand in the Gap Coalition. While some smaller prayer walks and events took place throughout the year, on November 4, 2012, an estimated 20,000 people walked through seven towns supported by neighboring counties that didn’t plan walks.

“There has never been a more important time in our nation, and specifically our Tri-State area, for Christians and concerned citizens to take a stand against illicit/illegal drug abuse,” said Dan Spurlock, spokesman for SIGCO, headquartered in Cumberland Gap.

“We are literally watching generations of our families waste away to dangerous and life-threatening drugs,” Spurlock continued. “Great-grandparents are raising children as the child’s parents and grandparents are lost to drug and alcohol abuse.”

The November “Stand At The Cross” prayer walk will be the first since 2012, but SIGCO advocates have been busy building support and involvement in their communities. Since the beginning of the prayer efforts, drug recovery programs are cropping up all over, Drug Courts are beginning to be accepted addictions to each county’s justice system, and unified efforts are taking place to find long-term recovery for those who are ready to find freedom from their addictions.

While traveling, Sprulock spotted the giant 100-foot cross, overshadowing I-75, and believed this site to be very significant for a future SIGCO event. He contacted Mr. Potter and obtained permission to use the area for a prayer walk.

Churches throughout southern Kentucky and East Tennessee, along with UNITE’s community coalitions, are urged to begin planning to bring vans, buses, and cars filled with members who can participate. Demonination isn’t important.

Just 200 years ago, a six-day revival was held in Kentucky that drew 20,000 people to a sparsely populated frontier area out of which a transformation took place that impacted the nation. Known as the Cain Ridge Revival of 1801, the historic event included historic frontiersman Daniel Boone as one of its organizers. Many pastors believe it is time to see that kind of change take place once again.

For more information about “Stand At The Cross” or SIGCO, visit their website at www.SIGCO.org, call their office at 423-300-1302, or send an e-mail to standntgap@gmail.com.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=56732014-10-15T17:55:01Z2014-10-15T17:53:41ZMT. VERNON – A new drug prevention initiative designed to provide youth another way to resist peer pressure to experiment with drugs was launched in Rockcastle County Tuesday, October 14.

The “Give Me A Reason” program – a collaborative effort by the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) and Operation UNITE – will provide free saliva-based drug test kits to parents through distribution sites located throughout the county.

“It’s a voluntary program to help you make positive choices,” Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers told students and community members attending the ceremony. “We want to give you every possible means to help you succeed in life, and staying away from drugs is at the top of the list.”

“With this new drug testing program we want you to know that your parents care, and there are people in your community who will hold you accountable,” Rogers continued. “Most importantly, if you have a problem, we want to use this as a way to help you – not punish you – and give your parents resources to help.”

“Give Me A Reason” was envisioned by Frank Rapier, executive director of AHIDTA.

Rapier, a 49-year law enforcement veteran, stressed that the purpose of the prevention initiative is to keep youth from experimenting with drugs and to get help for those already involved.

“If parents have a drug test kit at home their children hopefully will think twice before giving in to peer pressure to try drugs,” Rapier said. “The possibility of being drug tested gives youth a reason to say ‘no’ when placed in these situations.”

Drug test kits are currently available from 13 sites in Rockcastle County. A list of locations is available on the Operation UNITE website.

Plans are to expand the pilot program to Pike County starting in November, with the ultimate goal of having kits available in all UNITE and AHIDTA counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia.

A benefit of the saliva-based test kit is that it can be administered within the privacy of your own home, with results remaining completely confidential if parents so choose. The non-invasive test can be produce results within about 10 minutes.

“If there is a positive result, we are providing resources for parents to turn to for help,” said Dan Smoot, president/CEO of Operation UNITE.

“It’s not about trust, but about showing how much you care,” Smoot said. “Your kids, on a daily basis, make hundreds of decisions. There is no more important decision you can make than to remain drug-free.”

“It doesn’t take very many bad decisions before you are in a terrible situation yourself,” agreed John Hale, chairman of the Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition and former principal at Rockcastle High School. “This is a problem that will strike anyone, anywhere, anytime.”

“We want to give you another reason to be able to say ‘no’ when someone offers you something you know you shouldn’t take or wants you to do something you know you shouldn’t do,” Hale added. “No one here is out to get you. We’re out to help you anyway we can.”

“Too many families have experienced the pain and sorrow caused by drug abuse. It’s very personal to me and I want you to see that,” Hale said, noting he just lost a niece within the last week to drugs and struggled (successfully) through a years-long battle with his son’s addiction.

“Remember,” Hale concluded, “You didn’t cause it – it was here long before you came along. You can’t cure it – it takes many people working together to cure the problem. And, you can take care of yourself by staying drug free.”

For the sixth straight year, Rockcastle County UNITE Clubs at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels have swept the region for “UNITE Club of the Year” honors.

It is the eighth consecutive win for Mt. Vernon Elementary School.

The awards, for efforts put forth during the 2013-14 school year, were presented by Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers during an assembly at Rockcastle County High School on October 14.

“Your UNITE Clubs have historically been advocates and leaders among their peers,” Rogers said. “In fact, some Rockcastle County High School UNITE Club members and graduates have received national recognition for their efforts.”

Rogers noted that UNITE Club members have met with some of the country’s most powerful leaders during UNITE’s National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, been featured on news programs including CNN, and testified on Capitol Hill.

“One person can make a difference,” Rogers said. “You can mentor younger students, and you can get the attention of our nation’s leaders. You don’t have to wait until you get older to be a leader.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of all the effort produced by the hundreds of students in these clubs,” said Dan Smoot, president/CEO of Operation UNITE. “They go way beyond their schools to promote anti-drug messages throughout the community.”

A brief summary of the many activities performed by the UNITE Clubs last school year include:

Mt. Vernon Elementary

The club’s 214 student members:
• Collected more than 1,400 rolls of toilet paper for drug rehabilitation centers as part of the “Wipe Out Drugs” drive.
• Officers and Work Corps members mentored younger students at the school and presented them with a drug prevention coloring book.
• Performed during the annual Leadership Rally and Community Awareness Celebration.
• Distributed cards they made to veterans.
• Assisted with or participated in the “Run From Addiction” 5K race.
• Participated in the Memorial Balloon Launch at halftime of the UNITE Bowl football game. Red balloons represented those who have lost their lives to drugs and white balloons represented hope for those struggling with addiction.
• Held a water balloon fundraiser for a fellow classmate and club member who had been diagnosed with cancer just weeks before summer break. They raised more than $600 to give to her family for traveling expenses.

Rockcastle County Middle School

The club’s 235 student members:
• Donated more than 1,000 non-perishable food items to the local food and clothing mission through their annual winter food drive.
• Collected 1,000 rolls of toilet paper for drug rehabilitation facilities as part of the “Wipe Out Drugs” fundraiser as part of the annual UNITE Bowl football game.
• Helped organize and prepare for the Red Balloon Launch at the UNITE Bowl.
• Teamed up to raise more than $1,000 for “Pennies for Patients” during Red Ribbon Week.
• Helped organize and prepare for the annual UNITE Community Awareness Celebration, and members presented at each of the monthly meetings of the Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition.
• Participated in and helped plan the UNITE 5K Run From Addiction and the 5K T-shirt contest.

Rockcastle County High School

The club’s 167 student members:
• Took a leadership role in the annual UNITE Bowl football game, which includes a “Wipe Out Drugs” toilet paper collection challenge with the visiting school, with all proceeds being donated to drug rehabilitation centers.
• The “UNITE Presents” traveling theater group visited local elementary schools to perform drug awareness skits for 4th and 5th grade students. The group is often asked to make presentations outside of Rockcastle County.
• Continued the “Rocket Readers” mentoring program featuring school athletes as readers/role models.
• Volunteered their time at the local hospital and nursing home during the holidays.
• Featured guests from the community who have fought the disease of addiction at monthly meetings, giving students a first-hand glimpse of drug abuse.
• Participated in the annual UNITE Community Awareness Celebration held by the Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=57012014-10-27T14:04:00Z2014-10-14T13:43:22ZTeams from nine schools competed in the “2 Smart 4 Drugs” Academic Tournament held October 11 at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. A total of 214 students and 18 coaches participated.

Big Sandy’s Academic team as well as UNITE provided breakfast (sausage biscuits, fruit, donuts, etc.) and lunch (pizza, chips, cupcakes, cookies, fruit, etc.) and snacks for the students, parents and coaches as well as anyone in attendance.

Pikeville finished first in the overall Varsity meet, followed by Belfry and Letcher Central.

East Ridge earned the Junior Varsity title, followed by Shelby Valley, with Knott Central and Pike Central tied for third.

Perry County Central High School earned top honors in a special video project that encouraged students to resist drugs. East Ridge and Cordia placed second and third, respectively, in that category.

Winning students received certificates signed by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and teams took home cash prizes. This money helps teams to buy practice questions, buzzer systems and cover the cost of travel to tournaments. Total prize money from all sponsorships was $3,200.

The event was sponsored by the BSCTC Academic Team, UNITE Pike, Community Trust Bank, State Rep. Leslie Combs, City of Pikeville, Karen Kelly, Pikeville City Commissioner Barry Chaney, Tom Wright and UMG.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=56482014-10-13T17:08:00Z2014-10-13T17:08:00ZPIKEVILLE – Even before all the photos were in place, visitors to the Pike County Judicial Center Thursday afternoon, October 9, were quick to point out familiar faces.

The more than 180 images on Operation UNITE’s Hope Wall are more than portraits of friends and loved ones; each picture represents a successful struggle over drug addiction.

“It’s important for those still in active addiction to see their stories and know that they can recover,” said Jennifer Looney, program supervisor for the Pike County Drug Court.

“Drugs touch every family. By just looking at these faces you won’t know the terrible, destructive path they have been through,” Looney added. “What is obvious is the joy and excitement that comes from living a drug-free life.”

Unveiled in August 2013, the 20-foot long wall features individuals who are now in recovery and living clean, sober lives. It demonstrates that substance abuse addiction has no boundaries, that all walks of life are affected.

The Hope Wall will remain on display in Pike County through Friday morning, October 24.

Providing inspiration and encouragement to seek help for an addiction, or for those currently in treatment or recovery, is the primary reason for the Hope Wall. The wall represents a tremendous success in the lives of those individuals who have been able to rebuild their families, their lives, and are now contributing to society.

“It is important that the public know about the positive results that are possible from Drug Courts and other rehabilitation programs supported by Operation UNITE,” said Vice-Chief Regional Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman. “It is important for those dealing with addiction – either themselves or within their family – know that they can change the direction of their life by seeking help.”

“A majority of the folks featured on the Hope Wall have received a UNITE Treatment Voucher to help them overcome their addiction,” noted Dan Smoot, UNITE president/CEO. “These are people who may have otherwise continued down a destructive path of drugs.”

More than 3,400 people – including nearly 200 Pike County residents – have entered a substance abuse treatment program using a UNITE voucher since the initiative began in 2005, Smoot said.

Treatment vouchers for short-term or long-term residential treatment are available to low-income residents of the 32 counties served by UNITE across southern and eastern Kentucky. For more information call UNITE’s Treatment Help-Line at 1-866-908-6483.

Anyone who has been in recovery for at least 18 months is eligible to be featured on the wall.

]]>0dmortonhttp://www.operationunite.orghttp://operationunite.org/?p=56192014-10-06T20:42:10Z2014-10-06T20:42:10ZIt’s all about service – to youth, to schools, and to communities across southern and eastern Kentucky.

Operation UNITE’s Service Corps (AmeriCorps) initiative provides before and after school math tutoring and healthy choices programs to address drug prevention and nutritional education. Members also serve as sponsors for anti-drug UNITE Clubs and recruit volunteers for school-based prevention programs and community service projects.

Recently released statistics indicate the UNITE Service Corps (USC) had a very positive impact during the 2013-14 school year:

2,151 students were tutored in mathematics. Math test scores for these students increased 34% during the year.

2,336 students were taught the “Too Good For Drugs” and “Healthy Futures/Take 10!” curricula. Test scores for these students showed a 40% increase drug education knowledge and healthy decision-making information.

3,266 students were provided one-on-one mentoring assistance.

2,097 volunteers were recruited for school-related activities. They contributed 12,363 volunteer service hours.

All UNITE Service Corps members were state certified in disaster and emergency response from the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. This certification enables members to become leaders on local disaster response teams when the need arises.

“UNITE’s Service Corps initiative has been a catalyst for addressing the needs of our fourth- and fifth-grade youth – in one of the poorest Congressional Districts in the United States – for seven years,” said Eugene Newsome, director of the program. “I am so proud of the dedication and effort shown by our AmeriCorps members. They have been a proactive force for positive change not only in their schools, but in the communities they serve.”

For the 2014-15 school year, the UNITE Service Corps has placed 44 AmeriCorps members at schools in Bell, Breathitt, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Leslie, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle and Wolfe counties, as well as the East Bernstadt Independent school system.

To view list of UNITE Service Corps members and the schools they serve click here.

AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS), part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. The UNITE Service Corps is one of 14 programs funded statewide.

In September, USC members attended the 20th Anniversary AmeriCorps Conference in Louisville, showcasing initiatives such as UNITE’s “On The Move!” drug prevention initiative, “Hope Wall” for those overcoming addiction, and a new, teen-focused education campaign detailing “Life With a Record.”

“Substance abuse is impacting our children at very early ages,” noted Nancy Hale, co-program director for the UNITE Service Corps. “It is so important for us to equip students with knowledge that they are in charge of their own choices, to help them make the proper choices, and to lay a foundation of hope and promise for their futures.”

AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies and community- and faith-based groups across the country.

Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 800,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward. They serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce. AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education and develop an appreciation for citizenship.